Some days we are busy and some not so busy with surgeries, consults, and maternity etc. We were having generator problems everyday for awhile but that seems to have straightened out somewhat now. There are quite a few on medicine service now. Friday eve I picked up Zach at Kelo after he had returned from NDJ on some hospital business. The drive to Kelo is about 1 1/2 hrs even though it is only 45 km (25 miles) The bus from NDJ was late so we got back from Kelo about 2200. Then at 0200 had to see an OB with previous c-section x2 and a small pelvis in active labor so did a c-section and got back to bed about 0500. Then got up at 0630 to go to branch SS at 0700 then to church at 1030. I slept some before and during potluck lunch and in the afternoon. I was feeling weak. In the evening we had a retained 2nd twin with arm presentation in a 18 yr old that delivered 1st twin at home. I finally managed to change it to a footling breech but she was having no contractions and the cervix had clamped down some. Finally delivered with lots of pulling but the retained head took a lot of time. Of course the baby was dead. Sunday morning at 0500 we went to Moundou as I had agreed to do some surgeries there (probably a mistake). I did 4 ortho cases that were very difficult. Fortunately Zach drove the vehicle for which I was very thankful as I was not feeling well and came back in the evening 3 hours each way. By then I was aching all over and had headache and no appetite. It seemed like malaria so began the Malarone and some ibuprofen and wet the bed with sweat. I feel a little better today. I rested this afternoon. No surgeries today or complicated maternity although an incarcerated hernia came but I was able to reduce it so it can be done later.
Today we had the prefet (chief) come by the hospital with a bunch of military and the MCD etc. They went through the whole hospital I think then had an assembly to talk which was another 2 hours. He talked about how bad expired meds were and lack of compassion and not sure what all. Some say he is quite deranged. The MCD gave a power point on free meds and some history of such in Chad. As best as I could tell as I could not understand the prefet's speech very well. Previously they made us throw away a lot of perfectly good meds because they were short dated or past date. Olen has previously presented many studies including some by the US military that show most meds are good for many years beyond their expire date. A lot of this is gimmicks by the drug companies so they can sell more meds but unfortunately ignorance costs lots of money and lives.
We are looking forward to the return of Olen, Danae, and the kids July 1. They have had a nice deserved vacation which one needs after working here awhile.
We recently had an email from someone in Australia that reads our blog. We appreciate emails. It makes life a little easier.
Love, Rollin and Dolores Bland
Hopital Adventiste de Bere
Boite Postal 52
Kelo, Tandjile, Chad, Afrique
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